The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don't blame God and our teaching for his behavior.
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Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
2 Slaves with Christian masters all the more so - their masters are really their beloved brothers!
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Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
3 If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction,
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If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors.
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he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
5 Eventually there's an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.
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and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
6 A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.
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Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,
7 Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless,
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for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
8 if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.
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But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
9 But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time.
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But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
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For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
11 But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life - a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy.
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But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
12 Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.
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Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I'm charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn't give an inch:
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I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,
14 Keep this command to the letter, and don't slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way.
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to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 He'll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God.
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which he will display at the proper time--he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 He's the only one death can't touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He's never been seen by human eyes - human eyes can't take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes.
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who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
17 Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage -
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As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous.
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They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.
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thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
20 And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts.
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O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge,"
21 People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. Overwhelming grace keep you!
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for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.